John Smith is an explorer and founder of the first permanent settlement in North America, Jamestown. In 1606, Smith became involved with plans to colonize Virginia. He wrote the piece " A Description of New England" in 1616. The excerpt we will explore in class is attached below.
To help understand this piece, you and your partner will be assigned one paragraph from Smith's document to analyze and report back to the class. By the time you come to class on Wednesday 10/19, you should have completed the following tasks and posted below to our wiki :
Summarize Smith's purpose and tone in your paragraph.
Pick one significant sentence in the paragraph and paraphrase in your own words.
Post one to two visual images that you feel reflects your paragraph - either in the content or purpose of Smith's writing.
PARAGRAPH 1 (Sample by Holliday) :
SUMMARY : In this paragraph, Smith expounds on the moral virtues of discovering and cultivating new lands. He focuses on the need for hard work and the need to build for and
Man planting a Christian flag
be remembered by future generations. He also talks about the moral importance of taming the natives and spreading the power of Christianity in the new world. His purpose seems to be to persuade and to set positive tone for coming to America; he lists all the reasons why taking this step would be a good thing.
PARAPHRASE : "If he have but the taste of virtue, and magnanimity, what to such a mind can be more pleasant, than planting and building a foundation for his posterity, got from the rude earth, by God’s blessing and his own industry, without prejudice to any?"
Even those of you who have just a small amount of virtue and greatness will be moved by the possibility of creating a home for future generations, especially because this is achieved through hard toil with the land and God’s help, and no harm comes to anyone as a result of your gain.
Smith discusses the power of virtue. He uses the power of his quill (or pen) to communicate this.
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Paragraph 2
Summary: Smith shifts in this paragraph away from the "pull factors" of what brings people to the New World and more towards the "push factors" of why leaving England is a good thing. He says you should be happy for what you have and put it to good use rather than putting to waste what you have and what other people dont have and wish they could have.He seems to focus on the boredom of this existence in England. He seems to focus on how wealth and land is consumed in families. There is not enough to be had; therefore, competition is bred between people. He does say, however, that the world has "honors for them that will seek them and worthily deserve them."
Paraphrase: "Then who would live at home idly [or think in himself any worth to live] only to eat, drink, and sleep and so die?"
Who would sit at home doing nothing all the time, who thinks anything of himself, just to die eventually?
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Paragraph 3
Summary: In this paragraph, Smith continues to offer push factors but becomes more insistent and persuasive using several command sentences. He says let this piece give you a reason to work, for the people that want to work but cannot. And the fathers that stay at home and watch the children until they become old and only wish for you to die so they can gain your land, be better than them. He goes on to say that no one likes to believe there is another world out there that offers new and better opportunities. John Smith's purpose in this paragraph is to bring people to America so they will work.
Paraphrase: You are lucky to have a job of farming your land because there are many without the opportunities you have. PARAGRAPH 4
SUMMARY : In this paragraph, Smith describes his motivation behind his discovery of the New World and how he wishes to please his people and superiors. He ponders strongly on the idea of doing good deeds for his people and he admits the power that money can hold; it can often affect those people in ways that religion, charity , and the common good can not. Also, he describes how he desires to satisfy his king and country and if he were to fail to convince people that moving the New World is worthwhile and good, then he would give his life to them in return. He concludes this paragraph with stating he knows that no Commonwealth is going to be created in the New World unless there is an economic incentive for people to move there. Smith seems here to be even more persuasive; he essentially says he believes so strongly in the New World that he will give his life if someone does not agree. He is driving his persuasion home by using a personal appeal and by using logic - saying he knows money is top on most people's minds.
PARAPHRASE:
It were but a poor device in me, to deceive myself: much more the king, and state, my friends, and country, with these inducements: which seeing his Majesty hath given permission< I wish all sorts of worthy, honest, industrious spirits, would understand: and if they desire any further satisfaction: I will do my best to give it: Not leave them there, but live with them there
- I can't lie to myself, my king, my friends, my state, my country, with these inducements/incentives : in which the king has given me access to, I wish that all worthy, hardworking souls understand and if they desire any more satisfaction, I will do anything I can to give it. I will not leave them, but rather live with them.
This photo above is of a king coming outside of his door to the riches that were brought to him. These riches are symbolic to those that John Smith refers to in his paragraph regarding how he wishes to please his king and country with what he is doing in the New Wold
PARAGRAPH 5
SUMMARY: In this pargraph John Smith is explaning the great advantages in North America - all of the many "pull factors". He says that men who are in North America have more pleasure than men in England and get more rich. He also says that the true pleasure is cultivating your land. Also Smith says that in North America you can get more than you need and then trade that for things you want. An example that he uses is one of a fisherman who cathes fish and trades for other things. He focuses on the plenty America provides and on the fact that immigrants can "recreate themselves" in this world.
PARAPHRASE:"For Necessity doth in these cases so rule a Commonwealth, and each in their several functions, as their labors in their qualities may be as profitable, because there is a necessary mutual use of all."
What is necessary is most important in a society ruled for the common good. Each person's job and hard work should and will go towards what is most profitable for every person in the community.
- Smith is saying here that the need of many things makes a commoner and his trade useful to all because each persons trade and the objects they make can be swapped for other materials.
In this picture a fisherman shows that people in America could do what they wanted to and could trade to get better things
PARAGRAPH 6
SUMMARY: In this paragraph, John Smith is persuading men to come here by describing some of the activities men can do in the new world. Some of the activities include; hawking, fishing, hunting, and exploring the unknown relying on skill. He asks people in general how they can be settled with these activities at home when they can experience it in the unknown wilderness. He tells people that it would become more enjoyable if they become sufficient off the land. In essence, his tone here is very persuasive and positive towards America describing the wonder, the beauty, and the plenty America offers.
PARAPHRASE:
"For Gentlemen, what exercise should be more delight them, than ranging daily those unknown parts, using fowling and fishing, for hunting and hawking?"
For men, what work would be more fun to them than exploring, using skills from hunting birds and fishing, for hunting and training hawks.
This picture is of a man hawking, one of the activities Smith encouraged men to do in the New World.
PARAGRAPH 7
SUMMARY: In this paragraph, John Smith is reaching out for people that can to come to the new land. He is calling out for all those young men, young couples, who do not have many ties to their homeland and are able to come over to the new land. The colony is in deep need of varieties of people and they are willing to attempt to supply those who come over with shelter and other basic necessities needed for life. Smith used this paragraph as his shout out to all those wanting a new life, looking for adventure, or to leave the trouble they have home, and to take the chance of migrating into the unknown.
PARAPHRASE: "My purpose is not to persuade children [to go] from their parents; men from their wives; nor servants from their masters: only, such with free consent may be spared"
My purpose is not to convince small defenseless children to leave home or tear men from their wives or servants from masters; only those who are free from obligation and desire to go should make this journey.
*John Smith is saying that its not supremely important for people to go, that people who have something to do and live for back home, should stay but those that are free with no promises made to society should emigrate to the new land.
the photo used here helps portray John's image for the fact he needs more civilians for his colony
To help understand this piece, you and your partner will be assigned one paragraph from Smith's document to analyze and report back to the class. By the time you come to class on Wednesday 10/19, you should have completed the following tasks and posted below to our wiki :
PARAGRAPH 1 (Sample by Holliday) :
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Paragraph 2
Summary: Smith shifts in this paragraph away from the "pull factors" of what brings people to the New World and more towards the "push factors" of why leaving England is a good thing. He says you should be happy for what you have and put it to good use rather than putting to waste what you have and what other people dont have and wish they could have.He seems to focus on the boredom of this existence in England. He seems to focus on how wealth and land is consumed in families. There is not enough to be had; therefore, competition is bred between people. He does say, however, that the world has "honors for them that will seek them and worthily deserve them."Paraphrase: "Then who would live at home idly [or think in himself any worth to live] only to eat, drink, and sleep and so die?"
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Paragraph 3
Summary: In this paragraph, Smith continues to offer push factors but becomes more insistent and persuasive using several command sentences. He says let this piece give you a reason to work, for the people that want to work but cannot. And the fathers that stay at home and watch the children until they become old and only wish for you to die so they can gain your land, be better than them. He goes on to say that no one likes to believe there is another world out there that offers new and better opportunities. John Smith's purpose in this paragraph is to bring people to America so they will work.Paraphrase: You are lucky to have a job of farming your land because there are many without the opportunities you have.
PARAGRAPH 4
SUMMARY : In this paragraph, Smith describes his motivation behind his discovery of the New World and how he wishes to please his people and superiors. He ponders strongly on the idea of doing good deeds for his people and he admits the power that money can hold; it can often affect those people in ways that religion, charity , and the common good can not. Also, he describes how he desires to satisfy his king and country and if he were to fail to convince people that moving the New World is worthwhile and good, then he would give his life to them in return. He concludes this paragraph with stating he knows that no Commonwealth is going to be created in the New World unless there is an economic incentive for people to move there. Smith seems here to be even more persuasive; he essentially says he believes so strongly in the New World that he will give his life if someone does not agree. He is driving his persuasion home by using a personal appeal and by using logic - saying he knows money is top on most people's minds.
PARAPHRASE:
It were but a poor device in me, to deceive myself: much more the king, and state, my friends, and country, with these inducements: which seeing his Majesty hath given permission< I wish all sorts of worthy, honest, industrious spirits, would understand: and if they desire any further satisfaction: I will do my best to give it: Not leave them there, but live with them there
- I can't lie to myself, my king, my friends, my state, my country, with these inducements/incentives : in which the king has given me access to, I wish that all worthy, hardworking souls understand and if they desire any more satisfaction, I will do anything I can to give it. I will not leave them, but rather live with them.
PARAGRAPH 5
- SUMMARY: In this pargraph John Smith is explaning the great advantages in North America - all of the many "pull factors". He says that men who are in North America have more pleasure than men in England and get more rich. He also says that the true pleasure is cultivating your land. Also Smith says that in North America you can get more than you need and then trade that for things you want. An example that he uses is one of a fisherman who cathes fish and trades for other things. He focuses on the plenty America provides and on the fact that immigrants can "recreate themselves" in this world.
- PARAPHRASE:"For Necessity doth in these cases so rule a Commonwealth, and each in their several functions, as their labors in their qualities may be as profitable, because there is a necessary mutual use of all."
- What is necessary is most important in a society ruled for the common good. Each person's job and hard work should and will go towards what is most profitable for every person in the community.
- Smith is saying here that the need of many things makes a commoner and his trade useful to all because each persons trade and the objects they make can be swapped for other materials.PARAGRAPH 6
SUMMARY: In this paragraph, John Smith is persuading men to come here by describing some of the activities men can do in the new world. Some of the activities include; hawking, fishing, hunting, and exploring the unknown relying on skill. He asks people in general how they can be settled with these activities at home when they can experience it in the unknown wilderness. He tells people that it would become more enjoyable if they become sufficient off the land. In essence, his tone here is very persuasive and positive towards America describing the wonder, the beauty, and the plenty America offers.
PARAPHRASE:
"For Gentlemen, what exercise should be more delight them, than ranging daily those unknown parts, using fowling and fishing, for hunting and hawking?"
For men, what work would be more fun to them than exploring, using skills from hunting birds and fishing, for hunting and training hawks.
PARAGRAPH 7
SUMMARY: In this paragraph, John Smith is reaching out for people that can to come to the new land. He is calling out for all those young men, young couples, who do not have many ties to their homeland and are able to come over to the new land. The colony is in deep need of varieties of people and they are willing to attempt to supply those who come over with shelter and other basic necessities needed for life. Smith used this paragraph as his shout out to all those wanting a new life, looking for adventure, or to leave the trouble they have home, and to take the chance of migrating into the unknown.
PARAPHRASE: "My purpose is not to persuade children [to go] from their parents; men from their wives; nor servants from their masters: only, such with free consent may be spared"
- My purpose is not to convince small defenseless children to leave home or tear men from their wives or servants from masters; only those who are free from obligation and desire to go should make this journey.
*John Smith is saying that its not supremely important for people to go, that people who have something to do and live for back home, should stay but those that are free with no promises made to society should emigrate to the new land.